Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/396,574 filed Sep. 15, 1999, the contents which areincorporated herein by reference in entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention pertains to dispensers generally, and moreparticularly to dispensers that are controlled responsive to indiciaupon a fluid receptacle to dispense a particular product mixture.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Various commercial establishments, including supermarkets andmany other diverse outlets, sell a wide variety of fluid products invarious containers. A specific example of a fluid product is a liquidlaundry detergent sold in relatively large plastic containers having ascrew-type cap or closure. Consumers of such liquid products frequentlydiscard the containers after using the contents. The discarded emptycontainers then migrate into a waste disposal area such as a landfill.

[0006] If an alternate system were used whereby a customer would bringback the empty original container to the commercial establishment forrefilling the container, using a user friendly method as will bedescribed below in connection with the present invention, then thefollowing benefits may be attained:

[0007] 1. The commercial establishment can profitably vend or sell theliquid product for refilling at a price significantly lower than theoriginal sales price. The lower price will financially motivate thecustomer to return with the empty container for refilling. Thecommercial establishment will use relatively low-cost bulk quantities ofthe liquid product for refilling, which helps to maintain a strongprofit margin for the commercial establishment.

[0008] 2. Refilling and reuse of containers breaks the cycle of “use anddiscard”, which keeps empty containers out of the landfills with obviousbenefit to society.

[0009] 3. Delivery of bulk product directly to consumer illustratedherein requires less handling labor and shipping-type packagingmaterials than traditional methods, further reducing cost and landfillwaste production.

[0010] 4. Bulk packaging reduces the retail shelf space required fordisplay/delivery of product to a customer. Where consumer packagingtends to be relatively inefficient at using precious retail shelf space,bulk dispensers illustrated herein offer space/product ratioimprovement.

[0011] 5. Appropriate dispensing options in accord with the presentinvention enable dispensing a nearly unlimited combination of base andoptional ingredients into a consumer's container. The more optionspresented to a consumer in the traditional prepackaged environment, themore precious retail shelfspace that is required. Consequently, in theprior art the consumer's product choices were extremely limited.

[0012] Thus the present invention provides financial benefits to bothcommercial establishments/vendors and consumers/customers, while alsofacilitating a reduction in solid waste as a benefit to society andenabling a broader selection of product choices to meet a particularcustomer's needs.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,818 to Bradbury, et al., discloses a methodand apparatus for vending a containerized product on multiple occasions.In the Bradbury patent, a customer initially purchases a fluid-filledcontainer with a bar code that indicates the price of the container.Upon emptying the container, the customer returns to the store andrefills the container at a refill station. The refill station modifiesthe bar code on the container to indicate that the container has beenrefilled. Thus, when the customer checks out, he or she is only chargedfor the refill, and not the container. A major disadvantage of thesystem disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,818 is that it does not read thebar code at the time of filling, limiting the Bradbury et al inventionto a single product. Nevertheless, it still requires a relativelycomplex apparatus for modifying the bar code on the container toindicate that the container has been refilled. This complexity has beenavoided in the present invention, while simultaneously enabling a muchmore diverse range of products to be dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In broad terms, the present invention provides a method ofvending a fluid product to a customer utilizing an original container.Parenthetically, at the time of the original purchase of the originalcontainer, the container has thereon a machine-readable indicia such asa bar code or the like indicative of the product and of the originalsales price of the container as filled with the product. After theoriginal container has been emptied of the product, then the inventionprovides for multiple refillings of the product into the originalcontainer. The machine-readable indicia on the container is utilized toactuate the refilling of the container and, after each refilling of thecontainer, the method dispenses to the customer a discount coupon to bepresented to the vendor's check-out station, together with the refilledcontainer, whereby the price charged to the customer by the vendor isthe original sales price associated with the bar code, less the value ofthe discount coupon.

[0015] Another important aspect of my invention is that the basicconcept can be expanded to provide for the vending of a plurality ofcontainerized products respectively into a plurality of originalrefillable containers from a single dispensing station. For this case,each of the original refillable containers for a plurality of originallyvended products, each of which may be of different diameters or shapes,has a unique machine readable indicia thereon indicative of the liquidproduct in the original refillable container, and the original salesprice prior to the first refilling. For each refilling of a selectedrefillable container with the matching product, a discount coupon isdispensed to the refill customer which may be presented to the vendor'scustomer checkout station, together with the matching refilledcontainer.

[0016] Another important aspect of my invention is that the fluidrefilling method includes a vertically oriented filling pipe or probehaving an outlet and being positioned over a filling opening in anoriginal container. The probe is adapted to be vertically moveable withrespect to the original container and is sized to freely enter thefilling opening. The filling probe is inserted into the refillablecontainer through the opening, until the outlet is adjacent the bottomof the refillable container. Next, the container is filled with apreselected volume of the fluid product, and, most preferably, thedispensing tip is progressively raised as the container is filled. Thisinventive feature prevents foaming as the container is being filled,since the liquid is not exposed to the air during entry into thecontainer. Potential splashing and the probability for spills are alsoeliminated. The present invention thereby avoids consumer contact withmessy and potentially hazardous substances which might otherwise resultfrom overflow, suds, spills and splashes.

[0017] Yet another important advantage of the present invention is thepreservation of brand identity and loyalty with the container, throughmultiple refills. A consumer cannot fill a container without theoriginal label, nor can the product be scanned at check-out.Consequently, the product within the container is always properlylabeled with the original label, thereby ensuring brand identity remainswith the container through each refill. Furthermore, the customer hasprice incentive to maintain brand loyalty, since the refill will alwaysbe discounted relative to a new competitor product. Finally, any specialinstructions, hazards or chemical ingredient lists will also bepreserved, in the event of an accidental poisoning or the like, therebypreserving the promotion of safe use of the product.

[0018] Another aspect of my invention is to provide an additionalmarketing function in connection with either single product or multipleproduct dispensers discussed herein, by dispensing to the refillcustomer, at the time of dispensing a discount coupon, at least oneadditional coupon or promotional message.

[0019] Another advantage of the present invention is that it can belinked to an inventory control management system whereby data iscollected on the volume, on a product-by product basis, of sales offluid products to permit a supplier to automatically restock products atthe appropriate time, and/or permit the retailer to automatically orderfrom the supplier at the appropriate time.

[0020] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the ability toinclude affiliate codes on the container label, for crediting orcompensating an affiliated entity with refills associated in some waywith that affiliate.

[0021] A further advantage of the present invention is the ability toprovide custom scents, flavors, nutritional supplements and the like toan otherwise standard product, without detriment to the functionality ofthe product and with only slightly greater complexity and space requiredwithin the dispensing machine.

[0022] Yet a further advantage is the increased visibility obtained by aproduct packaged and sold through the novel dispenser, since the monitoris substantially more visible with display screen when contrasted to themany bottles along a store shelf. Consequently, precious visualattraction at a retail location is obtained by the preferred embodimentover conventional packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the presentinvention can be understood and appreciated by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which

[0024]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a refill station designedin accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refill station cabinet designedin accord with the teachings of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an inventory control system that maybe used in conjunction with the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a partial view of the refill station of FIG. 1, with thefilling pipe or probe 30 moved down and into container AA.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a view of an expanded refill station showing a total ofsix liquid storage containers for use, in one embodiment, with theapparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029]FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an apparatus for vending at least one fluidproduct, such as a liquid cleaning product. Other types of products arecontemplated herein, including but not limited to shampoos,conditioners, hand soaps, lotions, water based beverages, water, “smartfoods” that include custom blends of nutritional supplements within thefood or beverage, and the like. In fact, any material which issufficiently fluent, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, may be dispensedthrough an apparatus such as refill station 130, provided each of thecomponents described herein below are designed to accommodate thematerial.

[0030] Self-service refill station 130 is designed to reduce cost andwaste by reusing a consumer's bottle or other fluid container AA. Itshould be understood that the concepts of the present invention areapplicable for vending two or more different proprietary fluid products,as will be explained herein below. Thus, for one vending scenario, aconsumer purchases one often different proprietary cleaning products.When container AA is empty, the consumer brings it to a store that has arefill station 130. Container AA is inserted in chamber 12 and refillstation 130 reads a code 20 on the label to identify the type andquantity of cleaner. Refill station 130 then blends and dispenses thesame product that is identified by code 20. For this scenario, theproducts consist of one of five different concentrates dispensedselectively in full concentration or mixed with varying quantities offiltered water.

[0031] Container AA is preferably manufactured from a durabletranslucent plastic with a removable cover, though the specificconstruction, materials and geometry of container AA is not critical tothe performance of the invention. The shape of container AA is howeverselected most preferably to facilitate proper centering and orientationwithin fill chamber 12. Additional considerations are that code orindicia 20 be durable, colorfast, and positionable correctly andconsistently toward code reader 22, to enable accurate readings to betaken. The footprint and diameter of varying capacity containers ispreferably similar enough so as to facilitate centering under afill-spout such as fill-probe 31. The mouth of container AA must besufficiently wide for ease of receiving fill-probe 31.

[0032] One implementation for the foregoing that provides simple producthandling by the consumer is to provide a turntable within fill chamber12 to support container AA. The turntable may then be automaticallyrotated after the consumer has closed chamber 12, allowing container AAto be scanned for bar codes irrespective of orientation. Where containerAA is round, such a turntable can be round and have concentric circlesto help center varying sizes of bottles, while allowing a central drain.Other shapes and configurations will be apparent to those skilled in theart upon a reading of the present disclosure.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a refilling cabinet is depicted as afloor-supported refill station 130 having a front panel 10 and a sidepanel 11. Fill chamber 12 extends inwardly from a midsection of frontpanel 10 and has a perforated bottom or drain shelf 13 for receiving andsupporting an empty bottle or container AA. Door 14 may preferably beprovided for closing chamber 12 to prevent a customer or operator fromaccidentally interfering with the operation of refill station 130. Inthis case, a door latch and interlock 14A on front panel 10 holds orretains door 14 and also is an element of the filling control circuit. Astart button 15, discount coupon dispensing means 18 and one or morevisual message means 16 and 17 of various or appropriate size andelectronic construct, such as LED, LCD, CRT or other known display ormessaging devices are also provided on the front panel 10 of thecabinet.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment to the use of start button 15, andpreferred for many consumer applications, door latch and interlock 14Ais used instead of start button 15. In this embodiment, the initiationof refill station 130 occurs immediately upon closure of door 14. Insuch case, appropriate logical control is provided to ensure propersequential checks prior to dispensing, including but not limited to theclosure of interlock 14A, the detection of a container havingappropriate label, and determination that container AA is not alreadyfull.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, the chamber 12 is depicted as having a lowersurface 12′ with its integral perforated section 13 and an upper or topsurface 12″. Empty container AA is depicted positioned resting onsurface 13 with a neck-down portion 24 terminating in an opening 26 atthe top thereof. An overfill sensor 27 is fixed to chamber 12 and ispositioned adjacent top 26 of container AA.

[0036] Container AA has machine-readable indicia 20 thereon. For anexample as depicted, there are four separate indicia marks 20 which areadapted to be sensed by four sensors 22 attached to the chamber 12 forthe purpose of identifying the type and quantity of the liquid productoriginally vended in container AA. Nevertheless, a myriad of knownmachine-readable indicia and sensors are known and contemplated herein,including but not limited to bar code readers and other optical sensors,magnetic sensors, and so forth.

[0037] Fill-probe 30 is vertically positioned above container AA and isadapted in preparation for a fill cycle to be moved vertically from theposition shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 4, with the spoutof discharge end 31 of probe 30 as shown in FIG. 4 adjacent to thebottom of container AA. Thus, fill-probe 30 has an outside diameterpreselected to permit insertion through top opening 26 of container AAand thence downwardly in. This arrangement facilitates refillingcontainer AA with a minimum of foaming. In the preferred embodiment fillprobe 30 will be raised up during dispensing, through a continuousmotion, series of timed steps, or other suitable control to therebyensure that only the tip of fill-probe 30 is contacting the liquid asthe liquid level rises within container AA.

[0038] Fill-probe 30 is supported for the aforesaid vertical movementwith respect to container AA by a pair of guide-bushings 33 and 34 shownin FIG. 1. The top (as shown in FIG. 1) portion of fill-probe 30 isidentified by reference numeral 30′ and has a longitudinally extendingrack-gear 30″ which is adapted to be engaged by a pinion gear 36 drivenby a motor-slip-clutch means 35. Thus, when motor-slip-clutch 35 isenergized in one sense it will cause the rotation of pinion gear 36 soas to drive the rack-gear 30″ and thus fill-probe 30 downwardly as shownin FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 4. A reverse energization ofmotor-slip-clutch 35 will retract fill-probe 30 to the position shown inFIG. 1.

[0039] Rigidly attached to fill-probe 30 are brackets 40, 45, and 50, onwhich are mounted suitable valve and flow control means 41, 46 and 51respectively. Each of the units 41, 46 and 51 have a discharge conduitextending inside of the fill-probe 30. Thus, valve and flow control 41has a conduit 42 extending into fill-probe and extending down to adischarge opening 42′ adjacent the nozzle 31 of fill-probe 30. In thesame manner, units 46 and 51 have conduits 47 and 52, terminatingrespectively in discharge ports 47′ and 52′ within fill-probe 30.

[0040] Flexible fluid lines 64, 74 and 84 are connected respectively toinlet means of the valve and flow control units 41, 51 and 46. In analternative embodiment, valve and flow control units 41, 51 and 46 maybe eliminated, and timing and level detection by overfill sensor 27 usedto control the flow from particular bulk liquid containers such ascontainers 60, 70, 80. Additional safety may be provided through timingto ensure the machine does not run beyond reasonable limits.

[0041] Suitable pressure switches 43, 53 and 48 are connected to theflexible fluid lines 64, 74 and 84 respectively. The flexible fluidlines 64, 74 and 84 are connected to the output of suitable pumps 62, 72and 82 respectively, which are associated with bulk liquid containers60, 70 and 80 respectively.

[0042] The arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 is for a typical scenariowhere container 61 contains a dish-detergent having a high viscosity,container 71 contains filtered water, and container 81 contains alow-viscosity concentrate. Pump 62 has an inlet conduit 63 extending tothe lower portion of container 61. The bottom of conduit 63 isidentified by reference numeral 63′. Likewise, pump 72 has a conduit 73with a lower end 73′, and pump 82 has a conduit 83 with a lower end 83′extending to near the bottom of containers 71 and 81 respectively.

[0043] Within chamber 12 is a collector 12A concentrically positionedabout the lower end 31 of fill-probe 30 that functions to collect anyerrant fluid that might be on the outer surface of fill-probe 30. Errantfluid is collected, and then removed via a suitable tube 12B, adapted todischarge into a drain pan 12C.

[0044] When container AA is filled to the proper level as sensed byoverfill sensor 27 or other flow measuring techniques, then a controlsystem functions to stop pumps 62, 72, 82; to retract fill-probe 30; andto dispense at least one discount coupon at 18 for the customer. In somecases, for marketing reasons as an example, the machine may dispense, inaddition to the discount coupon, another coupon relating to anotherproduct or promotion, or other marketing-related papers such as cleaningtips or the like to help promote affiliated products. At the time ofretraction of fill probe 30, and depending upon the particularconfiguration of contents that are being dispensed into container AA, itmay be desirable to release a very small amount of water to rinse fillprobe 30, thus preparing fill probe 30 to dispense other compositionswith a minimum of cross-contamination. While this will most preferablybe done at the completion of the fill cycle while container AA is stillunder probe 30, there may also be instances where the customer willfirst remove container AA and then probe 30 self-cleans.

[0045] As indicated, the scenario depicted in FIG. 1 may be for a singlefluid product, such as for exemplary purposes only and withoutlimitation to the scope of the invention, a proprietary-cleaningproduct. FIG. 5 depicts an expansion of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1where not only the bulk storage containers 60, 70 and 80 have beendepicted but, in addition three additional bulk storage containers 90,100 and 110, containing, respectively, products X, Y and Z. Containers90, 100 and 110 comprise in part, respectively, pump means 92, 102 and112. It will be understood that pumps 92, 102 and 112 each would beconnected to fill-probe 30 through flexible fluid lines, valve and flowcontrol units, and discharge conduits within fill-probe 30 similar tothose associated with pumps 62, 72 and 82.

[0046] Thus, in operation, sensors 22 will respond to indicia 20 oncontainer AA to uniquely identify the type and quantity of cleaner forthat specific container. Then a control means, such as but not limitedto a micro-controller, microprocessor or the like together withnecessary relays or interface, will selectively actuate the appropriatepumps and any valve and flow control means. For the scenario depicted inFIG. 1 pumps 62, 72 and 82 are actuated, as are their respective valveand flow controls 41, 51 and 46. The valve and flow control means arecontrolled so as to provide the proper blending of the three liquidsbeing pumped through the flexible fluid lines 64, 74 and 84 intofill-probe 30 and thence into container AA.

[0047] For a different proprietary product, e.g., X, the system controlwould cease utilizing liquid from tank 61, and commence using productfrom tank 90. While a particular number of tanks are illustrated herein,the invention is not so limited. Further features are contemplatedherein, including the dispensing of a wide variety of fluent materials,and not solely limited to liquids. Further, the tanks are not limited tobase materials such as detergents, but tanks may be provided containinga variety of scents, colorants, flavorings and nutritional supplementsfor edible compositions and the like. When optional ingredients areprovided, one considered embodiment of the present invention is to usedisplays such as 16, 17 to poll a customer regarding the inclusion ofthese options. This may take the form of questions or option lists thatdetermine whether, for exemplary purposes only, a particular cleanershould be unscented, pine, lemon, or the like. Based upon the customer'sfeedback, through switches, keypads or other known input devices, theparticular ingredients may then be calculated and dispensed from each ofthe appropriate tanks.

[0048] It will also be understood that the invention, shown in FIG. 2 asfloor supported, may be configured for a support located above a floorsuch as a counter top, shelf or the like. The specific dimension,geometry or support of refill station 130 is not critical to theperformance of the invention, though a preferred embodiment has beenillustrated herein as required.

[0049] Another aspect of the invention is schematically shown in FIG. 3wherein information generated at refill station 130 concerning thequantity of bulk liquids utilized is made available both to retailer 140and to bulk supplier 150. This information can be very useful and costeffective for purposes of inventory control. In one mode, supplier 150of bulk liquid products may receive the information from refill station130 and, pursuant to prior agreement, automatically maintain adequatefluid supplies at refill station 130. Alternately, retailer 140 maymaintain control over the ordering of supplies by receiving theinformation from refill station 130 and then, as appropriate, order fromthe supplier 150 additional stock for the system.

[0050] Yet another aspect of the invention derives from that illustratedin FIG. 3. Not only can information be exchanged between retailer 140and bulk supplier 150, but similar information may also be exchangedbetween affiliated entities. These affiliates may include individuals,businesses and non-profit entities, for example, that may assist in oneway or another with the production, promotion or actual sale of bulkproducts from refill station 130 or containers such as container AA. Forexample, a school or charitable organization may use either full orempty containers AA in a fund-raising activity. The particularorganization is assigned a unique code or indicia 20, such as a combinedbar code that identifies not only the desired contents for container AA,but also an affiliate code. Credits, financial or otherwise, are in thisembodiment assigned to the affiliate at the time of each filling ofcontainer AA. In the case of a fund raising activity, the credits wouldmost likely be financial payments made based upon the numbers and typesof fills. Clearly, the application of this technique extends to manyinter-organizational activities and affiliations. Sales associates,service bureaus, brand licensors, and others may all be accounted tothrough the present method.

[0051] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated, it will be understood that variations may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the inventive concept.Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of vending a fluid product comprising the steps of:labeling a container with machine-readable indicia indicative of saidfluid product; distributing an original container for said fluidproduct; dispensing said fluid product into said original container;refilling said original container; and producing a promotional couponresponsive to said dispensing of said fluid product into said container.2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of: selectivelyvending a plurality of containerized fluid products respectively into aplurality of original refillable containers from a single dispensingstation, each of said plurality of fluid products having been originallyvended in an original refillable container having machine-readableindicia thereon indicative of the fluid product in said originalrefillable container and the original sales price thereof prior to thefirst refilling thereof; and dispensing a discount coupon for eachrefilling of ones of said plurality of original refillable containerswith the matching fluid product which may be presented together with thematching refilled container.
 3. The method of claim 1 furthercharacterized by utilizing refilling apparatus comprising, in part, avertically oriented fluid filling pipe having an outlet, beingpositioned over a filling opening in said original container, andconnected to a supply of said fluid product, said filling pipe beingvertically movable with respect to said original container and beingsized to freely enter said filling opening, said filling pipe beinginserted into said container through said opening until said outlet isadjacent the bottom of said container and subsequently filling saidcontainer with a preselected volume of said fluid product.
 4. The methodof claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing, at the time ofdispensing said discount coupon, at least one additional coupon.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 comprising the additional step of providing, at thetime of said dispensing of said discount coupon, a graphic display ofinformation.
 6. The method of claim 1 further characterized by saidfluid product refilled into said container being blended from fluidsstored in at least two containers.
 7. The method of claim 3 wherein saidfilling pipe is connected to at least two supplies of fluid which areblended in said filling pipe to form said fluid product.
 8. The methodof claim 6 comprising the further step of polling a customer aboutwhether to dispense optional ingredients.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein said optional ingredients are selected from the group ofaromatic additives, flavorings, nutritional supplements and colorants.10. The method of claim 9 wherein said optional ingredients comprise aplurality of available scents.
 11. Apparatus for vending a containerizedliquid product to a vendee utilizing an original container for saidliquid product and, after said original container has been emptied ofsaid liquid product, then vending multiple refillings of said liquidproduct in said original container, said container havingmachine-readable indicia thereon indicative of said liquid product andthe original sales price of said container as filled with said liquidproduct prior to the first refilling thereof, and for each refilling ofsaid container, dispensing to the refill vendee a discount coupon to bepresented to the vendor's check-out, together with the refilledcontainer, whereby the price charged to said vendee for said refilledcontainer equals said original sales price less the value of saiddiscount coupon, said apparatus comprising: a) a vertically-orientedliquid filling pipe having a discharge port at the bottom thereof andpositioned over and in register with a filling opening in said originalcontainer, said container being positioned within a chamber with saidmachine-readable indicia oriented to be in register with indicia readingmeans; b) at least one bulk supply of liquid, and means controlled bysaid indicia reading means for initiating the transfer of fluid fromsaid bulk supply of fluid to said liquid filling pipe and thence to saidcontainer; and c) means for sensing the complete filling of saidcontainer and for terminating said transfer of fluid, and for dispensingsaid discount coupon.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 furthercharacterized by including a door means for closing off said chamber andinterlock means actuated by said door means, and means connecting saidindicia reading means and said interlock means for controlling thetransfer of fluid from said bulk supply of fluid to said container. 13.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said vertically-oriented liquidfilling pipe has a rack-gear attached thereto and engaged with areversible pinion gear, said pinion gear being selectively operated by amotor, and said motor being controlled by said indicia reading means.14. A method of distributing merchandise which benefits merchantsthrough wider product distribution and beneficial association withanother organization and which additionally benefits said organization,comprising the steps of: generating a unique machine-readable code forsaid organization; labeling a product container for said merchandisewith said unique machine-readable code; distributing said labeledproduct container to a member of said organization; reading saidmachine-readable code; filling said labeled product container; andcompensating said organization responsive to said reading step.
 15. Themethod of claim 14 wherein said step of distributing said labeledproduct container comprises the further steps of: providing said labeledproduct container to a contact within said organization; and disbursingsaid labeled product container from said contact to said organizationmembers.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of compensatingsaid organization comprises crediting said organization with a residualfee.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said organization is anon-profit organization.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein said step oflabeling comprises bar-coding said product container with a uniquemerchandise identification code and said unique machine-readable code.19. The method of claim 14 comprising the additional step of generatinga unique merchandise identification code identifying said merchandisewithin said product container.
 20. The method of claim 14 wherein saidfilling step is responsive to said reading step.